← Sweden's unemployment rate

Unemployment Benefits in Sweden

People who become unemployed in Sweden can get income-based unemployment benefit (a-kassa) from an unemployment insurance fund, if registered with Arbetsförmedlingen. People who cannot support themselves can apply to their municipality for economic assistance (ekonomiskt bistånd).

✓ From official pages   ✓ Each part says when we checked

At a glance

Unemployment insurance benefit (arbetslöshetsersättning, a-kassa)

Unemployment insurance funds (a-kassor), e.g. Alfa-kassan

Apply on the official site

The job market in Sweden

8.5%
unemployed, August 2026
18.4%
of 15 to 24-year-olds
8.4%
a year earlier: it has risen

The International Labour Organization's estimates put Sweden 139th lowest of 183 countries for unemployment in 2025; the world's rate was 4.9%.

Sweden's unemployment rate over the years · every country, ranked

What to do first

  1. Register with the public employment service, Arbetsförmedlingen (Swedish Public Employment Service). Official page
  2. Apply for Unemployment insurance benefit (arbetslöshetsersättning, a-kassa): register with Arbetsförmedlingen, then apply to your unemployment fund online (Alfa-kassan: Mina sidor with e-ID) and send a monthly application. Official page
  3. Keep up with the job-search rule while you claim (below), and keep a record of where you applied.
  4. Search the government's job listings on Platsbanken. Official page
  5. See whether you can get Economic assistance (ekonomiskt bistånd). Official page

Unemployment insurance benefit (arbetslöshetsersättning, a-kassa)

Who can get it. People registered with Arbetsförmedlingen who meet the income condition: at least SEK 120,000 in total in the reference period, earning SEK 11,000 a month in at least four months.

How much. 80% of previous income if a member for the whole reference period (12 months), at most 80% of 34,000 kronor = 27,200 kronor before tax; reduced by 10 percentage points after 100 days and a further 5 after 200 days.

For how long. Up to 300 benefit days (page: 'Minst 11 månader: 300 ersättningsdagar').

How to claim. Register with Arbetsförmedlingen, then apply to your unemployment fund online (Alfa-kassan: Mina sidor with e-ID) and send a monthly application.

From an official page, read October 26, 2026.

Looking for work while you claim

Every month, submit an activity report to Arbetsförmedlingen listing the jobs applied for and other steps toward work; keep evidence for at least three months.

Reporting. Activity report each month, between the 1st and the 14th

From an official page, read October 26, 2026.

Keep my work search record for Sweden

Free. It lists where you applied and what else you did to look for work, each line ready to copy into the form you report on. It is your own record: we send nothing to any government.

Help finding work

Economic assistance (ekonomiskt bistånd)

Support you can apply for from your municipality if you cannot support yourself and your family.

From an official page, read October 26, 2026.

Questions

Is there unemployment benefit in Sweden?

Yes: Unemployment insurance benefit (arbetslöshetsersättning, a-kassa), paid by Unemployment insurance funds (a-kassor), e.g. Alfa-kassan.

How much is unemployment benefit in Sweden?

80% of previous income if a member for the whole reference period (12 months), at most 80% of 34,000 kronor = 27,200 kronor before tax; reduced by 10 percentage points after 100 days and a further 5 after 200 days.

How long does unemployment benefit last in Sweden?

Up to 300 benefit days (page: 'Minst 11 månader: 300 ersättningsdagar').

How do I claim unemployment benefit in Sweden?

Register with Arbetsförmedlingen, then apply to your unemployment fund online (Alfa-kassan: Mina sidor with e-ID) and send a monthly application.

Do I have to look for work while I claim in Sweden?

Every month, submit an activity report to Arbetsförmedlingen listing the jobs applied for and other steps toward work; keep evidence for at least three months.

Where can I get help finding a job in Sweden?

The public employment service is Arbetsförmedlingen (Swedish Public Employment Service). The government lists jobs on Platsbanken.

Nearby countries

DenmarkEstoniaFaroe IslandsFinlandGuernseyIcelandIrelandIsle of ManJerseyLatviaLithuaniaNorwaySvalbard & Jan MayenUnited KingdomÅland Islands

Where this comes from

Every part of this page was read on an official website, and each links the page it came from and the day we checked it. Rules and amounts change, so check that page before you rely on a figure. Jobareer is not part of any government and cannot see or change a claim.

See also: unemployment rate by country · Sweden's unemployment rate · unemployment in the US, state by state.